&nbsp;MIAMI COUNTY —Two juveniles are under investigation after a burglary at Miami County, Kansas gun store.

Just before 10pm May 18, Deputies were called to the area of 255th Street and Harmony Road for two suspicious, occupied, vehicles sitting in the roadway without their lights on, according to a media release.

&nbsp;While on the way to the call a Deputy observed two vehicles on Old KC Road traveling without any lights and attempted to stop the vehicles. 

 Both vehicles fled and the Deputy initiated a brief pursuit.  The vehicles turned onto gravel at 271st Street and for the safety of all involved the pursuit was terminated due to the dust. 

A few minutes later a caller reported a vehicle on 169 Highway at 271st had crashed.  It was learned that one of the fleeing vehicles had crashed on 271st east of Old KC Road into a creek and the second vehicle was the wreck on 169 Highway where the vehicle had driven up the embankment and got stuck. 

All occupants fled from the vehicles and law enforcement established a large perimeter. K9s were used to do tracks and subsequently found multiple firearms and other evidence on the tracks. 

A follow up of a gun store at 255th Street and Harmony Road found it had been broken into and multiple firearms stolen.  Two juveniles were ultimately taken into custody.

&nbsp;MIAMI COUNTY —Two juveniles are under investigation after a burglary at Miami County, Kansas gun store.Just before 10pm May 18, Deputies were called to the area of 255th Street and Harmony Road for two suspicious, occupied, vehicles sitting in the roadway without their lights on, according to a media release.&nbsp;While on the way to the call a Deputy observed two vehicles on Old KC Road traveling without any lights and attempted to stop the vehicles. Both vehicles fled and the Deputy initiated a brief pursuit. The vehicles turned onto gravel at 271st Street and for the safety of all involved the pursuit was terminated due to the dust. A few minutes later a caller reported a vehicle on 169 Highway at 271st had crashed. It was learned that one of the fleeing vehicles had crashed on 271st east of Old KC Road into a creek and the second vehicle was the wreck on 169 Highway where the vehicle had driven up the embankment and got stuck. All occupants fled from the vehicles and law enforcement established a large perimeter. K9s were used to do tracks and subsequently found multiple firearms and other evidence on the tracks. A follow up of a gun store at 255th Street and Harmony Road found it had been broken into and multiple firearms stolen. Two juveniles were ultimately taken into custody.

Deputies found firearms taken in Kansas gun store burglary

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An investigation has been opened into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-dead-drowning-friends-f2963e83691d2bd2a8626d85a69c73cb">death of Matthew Perry</a>&nbsp;and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams said in an email Tuesday that the police department was working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Postal Inspection Service with a probe into why the 54-year-old star had so much ketamine in his system when he died in October. The investigation was first reported by TMZ.

Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-cause-054e67f7495845804f801c57a1ae2522">His autopsy, released in December, found</a>&nbsp;that the amount of ketamine in Perry’s blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. The drug is sometimes used to treat depression.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in the autopsy report that Perry also drowned in “the heated end of his pool,” but that it was a secondary factor in his death, deemed an accident.

According to Perry's autopsy, people close to the actor told investigators that he was undergoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketamine-pain-drugs-psychedelic-fda-2c67eeac1932962a7b0affc07d24c09a">ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment</a>&nbsp;used to treat depression and anxiety. But the medical examiner said that his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn't explain the levels of ketamine in Perry’s blood. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.

Perry was among the biggest television stars of his generation when he played Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-china-friends-fandom-0876bc8bf20b613c336d8c684eb5524f">NBC’s mega-hit sitcom “Friends.”</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698541233773.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — An investigation has been opened into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-dead-drowning-friends-f2963e83691d2bd2a8626d85a69c73cb">death of Matthew Perry</a>&nbsp;and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams said in an email Tuesday that the police department was working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Postal Inspection Service with a probe into why the 54-year-old star had so much ketamine in his system when he died in October. The investigation was first reported by TMZ.Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-cause-054e67f7495845804f801c57a1ae2522">His autopsy, released in December, found</a>&nbsp;that the amount of ketamine in Perry’s blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. The drug is sometimes used to treat depression.The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in the autopsy report that Perry also drowned in “the heated end of his pool,” but that it was a secondary factor in his death, deemed an accident.According to Perry's autopsy, people close to the actor told investigators that he was undergoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketamine-pain-drugs-psychedelic-fda-2c67eeac1932962a7b0affc07d24c09a">ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment</a>&nbsp;used to treat depression and anxiety. But the medical examiner said that his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn't explain the levels of ketamine in Perry’s blood. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.Perry was among the biggest television stars of his generation when he played Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-china-friends-fandom-0876bc8bf20b613c336d8c684eb5524f">NBC’s mega-hit sitcom “Friends.”</a>

Matthew Perry's death under investigation over ketamine found in actor's blood

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer.

The sale, from storage sites in New Jersey and Maine, will be allocated in increments of 100,000 barrels at a time. The approach will create a competitive bidding process that ensures gasoline can flow into local retailers ahead of the July 4 holiday and sold at competitive prices, the Energy Department said. The move is intended to help “lower costs for American families and consumers,″ the department said in a statement.

Gas prices average about $3.60 per gallon nationwide as of Tuesday, up 6 cents from a year ago, according to AAA. Tapping gasoline reserves is one of the few actions a president can take by himself to try to control inflation, an election year liability for the party in control of the White House.

“The Biden-Harris administration is laser-focused on lowering prices at the pump for American families, especially as drivers hit the road for summer driving season,″ Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in the statement. “By strategically releasing this reserve in between Memorial Day and July 4th, we are ensuring sufficient supply flows to the tri-state (area) and Northeast at a time hardworking Americans need it the most.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said release of gas from the Northeast reserve builds on actions by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, “to lower gas and energy costs — including historic releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the largest-ever investment in clean energy.″

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">significantly drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve</a>&nbsp;in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, dropping the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The election year move helped stabilize gasoline prices that had been rising in the wake of the war in Europe but drew complaints from Republicans that the Democratic president was playing politics with a reserve meant for national emergencies.

The Biden administration has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-biden-strategic-petroleum-reserve-aee28f8c2ee5c33a81f08529f676e42b">begun refilling the oil reserve</a>, which had more than 364 million barrels of crude oil as of last month. The total is lower than levels before the Russia-Ukraine war but still the world’s largest emergency crude oil supply.

The Northeast sale will require that fuel is transferred or delivered no later than June 30, the Energy Department said.

“While congressional Republicans fight to preserve tax breaks for Big Oil at the expense of hardworking families, President Biden is advancing a more secure, affordable, and clean energy future to lower utility bills while record American energy production helps meet our immediate needs,” Jean-Pierre said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683569393523.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer.The sale, from storage sites in New Jersey and Maine, will be allocated in increments of 100,000 barrels at a time. The approach will create a competitive bidding process that ensures gasoline can flow into local retailers ahead of the July 4 holiday and sold at competitive prices, the Energy Department said. The move is intended to help “lower costs for American families and consumers,″ the department said in a statement.Gas prices average about $3.60 per gallon nationwide as of Tuesday, up 6 cents from a year ago, according to AAA. Tapping gasoline reserves is one of the few actions a president can take by himself to try to control inflation, an election year liability for the party in control of the White House.“The Biden-Harris administration is laser-focused on lowering prices at the pump for American families, especially as drivers hit the road for summer driving season,″ Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in the statement. “By strategically releasing this reserve in between Memorial Day and July 4th, we are ensuring sufficient supply flows to the tri-state (area) and Northeast at a time hardworking Americans need it the most.”White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said release of gas from the Northeast reserve builds on actions by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, “to lower gas and energy costs — including historic releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the largest-ever investment in clean energy.″Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">significantly drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve</a>&nbsp;in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, dropping the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The election year move helped stabilize gasoline prices that had been rising in the wake of the war in Europe but drew complaints from Republicans that the Democratic president was playing politics with a reserve meant for national emergencies.The Biden administration has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-biden-strategic-petroleum-reserve-aee28f8c2ee5c33a81f08529f676e42b">begun refilling the oil reserve</a>, which had more than 364 million barrels of crude oil as of last month. The total is lower than levels before the Russia-Ukraine war but still the world’s largest emergency crude oil supply.The Northeast sale will require that fuel is transferred or delivered no later than June 30, the Energy Department said.“While congressional Republicans fight to preserve tax breaks for Big Oil at the expense of hardworking families, President Biden is advancing a more secure, affordable, and clean energy future to lower utility bills while record American energy production helps meet our immediate needs,” Jean-Pierre said.

President Biden takes steps to lower prices at the gas pump

DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice won't face charges from the injured person over his reported involvement in an alleged assault a little over a month after Rice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-dallas-crash-kansas-city-chiefs-b9c772b81b1b64ad111e249b38c8c4b5">was one of the speeding drivers</a>&nbsp;in a chain-reaction crash that led to multiple charges.

Dallas police said Tuesday the reporting party had signed an affidavit of non-prosecution over the incident at a downtown nightclub, but that the investigation is continuing.

Law enforcement officials have told The Dallas Morning News that Rice was suspected of assaulting a person early May 6, and that the person went to a hospital after the encounter.

Dallas police did not name Rice as the suspect in detailing a report of the incident to The Associated Press.

Rice’s attorney, Texas state Sen. Royce West, didn’t respond to a message from the AP seeking comment. The NFL declined to comment.

Rice reported to the Chiefs for voluntary workouts last month, not long after turning himself in to Dallas police over multiple charges, including aggravated assault, involving the high-speed crash.

West has previously acknowledged Rice was speeding in a Lamborghini SUV when the crash involving six vehicles happened March 30. Police said Theodore Knox was driving a Corvette.

According to a&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/sdixon/AppData/Local/Temp/%7B400B23C9-0EF0-4A07-93CE-D39A922EB852%7D/%7B5CF7D52C-2DEA-4D14-BD70-BA7B7CA0EF78%7D/Rice%20Crash%20report.pdf">Texas Department of Transportation report</a>, Rice was driving the Lamborghini at a top speed of 119 mph before impact, while the Corvette that Knox was driving had a top speed of 116 mph.

Rice, a former SMU and Dallas-area high school player who turned 24 last month, and Knox have been charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Knox also played for SMU.

Four people were injured in the crash, and police said the occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene without providing information or determining whether anyone needed medical attention.

Rice was drafted in the second round by Kansas City last year and played in 20 games, including the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco in the Super Bowl. He led the team with seven touchdowns receiving in the regular season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712916229752.png" alt="Rice booking photo DeSoto Texas Jail" />
 <figcaption>Rice booking photo DeSoto Texas Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice won't face charges from the injured person over his reported involvement in an alleged assault a little over a month after Rice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-dallas-crash-kansas-city-chiefs-b9c772b81b1b64ad111e249b38c8c4b5">was one of the speeding drivers</a>&nbsp;in a chain-reaction crash that led to multiple charges.Dallas police said Tuesday the reporting party had signed an affidavit of non-prosecution over the incident at a downtown nightclub, but that the investigation is continuing.Law enforcement officials have told The Dallas Morning News that Rice was suspected of assaulting a person early May 6, and that the person went to a hospital after the encounter.Dallas police did not name Rice as the suspect in detailing a report of the incident to The Associated Press.Rice’s attorney, Texas state Sen. Royce West, didn’t respond to a message from the AP seeking comment. The NFL declined to comment.Rice reported to the Chiefs for voluntary workouts last month, not long after turning himself in to Dallas police over multiple charges, including aggravated assault, involving the high-speed crash.West has previously acknowledged Rice was speeding in a Lamborghini SUV when the crash involving six vehicles happened March 30. Police said Theodore Knox was driving a Corvette.According to a&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/sdixon/AppData/Local/Temp/%7B400B23C9-0EF0-4A07-93CE-D39A922EB852%7D/%7B5CF7D52C-2DEA-4D14-BD70-BA7B7CA0EF78%7D/Rice%20Crash%20report.pdf">Texas Department of Transportation report</a>, Rice was driving the Lamborghini at a top speed of 119 mph before impact, while the Corvette that Knox was driving had a top speed of 116 mph.Rice, a former SMU and Dallas-area high school player who turned 24 last month, and Knox have been charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Knox also played for SMU.Four people were injured in the crash, and police said the occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene without providing information or determining whether anyone needed medical attention.Rice was drafted in the second round by Kansas City last year and played in 20 games, including the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco in the Super Bowl. He led the team with seven touchdowns receiving in the regular season.___

Police: Chiefs receiver won't face charges over alleged assault

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;— Kansas abortion providers have challenged an abortion survey law less than a month after lawmakers overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the law is meant to shame abortion seekers in a Monday announcement of the challenge.&nbsp;

“Kansans want their medical decisions to be their own, and we will not shame or stigmatize patients to satisfy the cruel whims of anti-abortion politicians,” Wales said. “This bill was never intended to improve the health of Kansans; it was meant to shame reproductive care and force patients to answer deeply personal questions that accomplish nothing beyond trauma and judgment.”&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2749/">House Bill 2749</a>&nbsp;requires medical care facilities and providers to report women’s reasons for their abortions. Kelly vetoed the bill, but the House overrode her 84-41 and the Senate completed the veto override with a 27-10 vote.

Under HB 2749, abortion seekers will have to answer a series of questions before undergoing the procedure, including questions asking them if they have been raped, if they have an abusive partner, and if the pregnancy is the result of incest.

The law also requires a report that includes the patients’ age, marital status, home state, race, education level, whether the patient received financial or social services from a nonprofit geared toward helping pregnant women, whether they experienced domestic violence the previous year, whether they live in a stable and affordable home, whether the patient was ever a reported victim of abuse and the abortion method.

The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood are asking the court to add this challenge to an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC9-2BzNnBILVxvTYCpgBjoWrAHCS4qk0GV9ci9sQ0nHftNROMIOvRg1SRzRhRJAL2ECftVZ-2BVBrbvyKkA8yV6diMs2IX0vhzvNYDDAGe3znBeNytBm_ZBHyPWJbdMARO2kB5qns-2BD4xJCKGpFySUKHsRCI-2BfZrhOpwoa8T0GjAmCKUHOrSALH7-2BAftqgWlN6ZTGe-2BinD1D9MOFWrN2VK1OPlMZuxC15KUvaqSiXYLnwYGs0doUR4NhTHsX7dXChqM3l-2FUgR69qOvncZ8FyXwexcWt4jBtiqgPndz0hC5Lfo5wWwcdRz30wok7S2sBoEFXPwG0TdYN4Dx9huqNNYSP7cFKBcuiBmXsk3n-2B3cE2dK6ETX0LOhs-2BCR9WFggHtepX4VyyOBJlxjWEFgE6mYMDGVcEe2ABl1rda-2FO1klvwloNCoJIEUaTHElltCkI116N53VYfzTKg-2Bpi8IqNhmlZq4YduvADcY-3D">ongoing case</a>. The groups, along with other reproductive rights groups, first filed a lawsuit in June with the Center for Reproductive Rights to ask for an injunction on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://reproductiverights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/KS-Hodes-Nauser-v.-Kobach_PI.pdf">several abortion requirements</a>&nbsp;set out in the “Women’s Right to Know Act,” a patchwork of legislation enacted over the past two decades that uses medically inaccurate information to dictate abortion restrictions.

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Kansas has become one of the few states left in the region that protects reproductive rights. As more travelers have come into the state seeking abortions, Republican lawmakers have attempted to chip away at these protections or add red tape.&nbsp;

Lawmakers supporting the “abortion reasons” bill said this information was necessary to gain a sense of the abortion landscape in the state, although the state already releases a comprehensive annual abortion report.&nbsp;The bill was first introduced by Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, on behalf of the anti-abortion group Kansans for Life.

During Senate debate about the law, lawmakers shared their feelings on abortion. Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, said abortion would lead to a life of “regret and emptiness”&nbsp;

“Every abortion kills an innocent child,” Steffen said. “That’s a fact. Every abortion kills an innocent child.”

KFL celebrated the veto override of the law, along with several other pieces of abortion legislation, in an April 29 news release.

“Each of these proposals will help address a truth that the vast majority of Kansans believe: that too many women feel abortion is their only choice,” said Jeanne Gawdun, KFL director of government relations.&nbsp;

Following the abortion providers’ lawsuit filing in June, a Johnson County district judge in October blocked a law requiring abortion providers to tell patients it might be possible to reverse a medication abortion. This supposed “abortion reversal” is based on junk science and has been known to cause hemorrhaging.&nbsp;

He also blocked a mandate that anti-abortion information be given to patients in printed form, in specific typeface, font size and color, at least 24 hours in advance of an abortion, along with a section that required providers post inaccurate information on their websites and in clinics that abortions could increase risk of breast cancer and premature birth in the future — a claim not supported by scientific research.&nbsp;The state has appealed over the decision.

“The decision to have an abortion is deeply personal—no one should be forced to tell the government why they are making that decision,” said&nbsp;Alice Wang, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights.&nbsp;“It’s frankly frightening that the state of Kansas is attempting to collect this type of private information, and unclear how it will be used.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665657486023.png" alt="&nbsp;Planned Parenthood Great Plains on Monday announced a lawsuit over an "abortion reasons" law, calling it medically unnecessary and stigmatizing. Google image" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Planned Parenthood Great Plains on Monday announced a lawsuit over an "abortion reasons" law, calling it medically unnecessary and stigmatizing. Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA&nbsp;— Kansas abortion providers have challenged an abortion survey law less than a month after lawmakers overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.&nbsp;&nbsp;Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the law is meant to shame abortion seekers in a Monday announcement of the challenge.&nbsp;“Kansans want their medical decisions to be their own, and we will not shame or stigmatize patients to satisfy the cruel whims of anti-abortion politicians,” Wales said. “This bill was never intended to improve the health of Kansans; it was meant to shame reproductive care and force patients to answer deeply personal questions that accomplish nothing beyond trauma and judgment.”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2749/">House Bill 2749</a>&nbsp;requires medical care facilities and providers to report women’s reasons for their abortions. Kelly vetoed the bill, but the House overrode her 84-41 and the Senate completed the veto override with a 27-10 vote.Under HB 2749, abortion seekers will have to answer a series of questions before undergoing the procedure, including questions asking them if they have been raped, if they have an abusive partner, and if the pregnancy is the result of incest.The law also requires a report that includes the patients’ age, marital status, home state, race, education level, whether the patient received financial or social services from a nonprofit geared toward helping pregnant women, whether they experienced domestic violence the previous year, whether they live in a stable and affordable home, whether the patient was ever a reported victim of abuse and the abortion method.The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood are asking the court to add this challenge to an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC9-2BzNnBILVxvTYCpgBjoWrAHCS4qk0GV9ci9sQ0nHftNROMIOvRg1SRzRhRJAL2ECftVZ-2BVBrbvyKkA8yV6diMs2IX0vhzvNYDDAGe3znBeNytBm_ZBHyPWJbdMARO2kB5qns-2BD4xJCKGpFySUKHsRCI-2BfZrhOpwoa8T0GjAmCKUHOrSALH7-2BAftqgWlN6ZTGe-2BinD1D9MOFWrN2VK1OPlMZuxC15KUvaqSiXYLnwYGs0doUR4NhTHsX7dXChqM3l-2FUgR69qOvncZ8FyXwexcWt4jBtiqgPndz0hC5Lfo5wWwcdRz30wok7S2sBoEFXPwG0TdYN4Dx9huqNNYSP7cFKBcuiBmXsk3n-2B3cE2dK6ETX0LOhs-2BCR9WFggHtepX4VyyOBJlxjWEFgE6mYMDGVcEe2ABl1rda-2FO1klvwloNCoJIEUaTHElltCkI116N53VYfzTKg-2Bpi8IqNhmlZq4YduvADcY-3D">ongoing case</a>. The groups, along with other reproductive rights groups, first filed a lawsuit in June with the Center for Reproductive Rights to ask for an injunction on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://reproductiverights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/KS-Hodes-Nauser-v.-Kobach_PI.pdf">several abortion requirements</a>&nbsp;set out in the “Women’s Right to Know Act,” a patchwork of legislation enacted over the past two decades that uses medically inaccurate information to dictate abortion restrictions.Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Kansas has become one of the few states left in the region that protects reproductive rights. As more travelers have come into the state seeking abortions, Republican lawmakers have attempted to chip away at these protections or add red tape.&nbsp;Lawmakers supporting the “abortion reasons” bill said this information was necessary to gain a sense of the abortion landscape in the state, although the state already releases a comprehensive annual abortion report.&nbsp;The bill was first introduced by Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, on behalf of the anti-abortion group Kansans for Life.During Senate debate about the law, lawmakers shared their feelings on abortion. Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, said abortion would lead to a life of “regret and emptiness”&nbsp;“Every abortion kills an innocent child,” Steffen said. “That’s a fact. Every abortion kills an innocent child.”KFL celebrated the veto override of the law, along with several other pieces of abortion legislation, in an April 29 news release.“Each of these proposals will help address a truth that the vast majority of Kansans believe: that too many women feel abortion is their only choice,” said Jeanne Gawdun, KFL director of government relations.&nbsp;Following the abortion providers’ lawsuit filing in June, a Johnson County district judge in October blocked a law requiring abortion providers to tell patients it might be possible to reverse a medication abortion. This supposed “abortion reversal” is based on junk science and has been known to cause hemorrhaging.&nbsp;He also blocked a mandate that anti-abortion information be given to patients in printed form, in specific typeface, font size and color, at least 24 hours in advance of an abortion, along with a section that required providers post inaccurate information on their websites and in clinics that abortions could increase risk of breast cancer and premature birth in the future — a claim not supported by scientific research.&nbsp;The state has appealed over the decision.“The decision to have an abortion is deeply personal—no one should be forced to tell the government why they are making that decision,” said&nbsp;Alice Wang, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights.&nbsp;“It’s frankly frightening that the state of Kansas is attempting to collect this type of private information, and unclear how it will be used.”

Kansas providers challenge new ‘abortion survey’ law in court

WAKEEENEY—Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital began experiencing a computer network disruption on May 6, according to a media release from the hospital.

In response, the hospital immediately activated its incident response plan and began investigating the issue with its IT team and third-party specialists.

The investigation confirmed the hospital had been targeted by a sophisticated ransomware attack, which we promptly reported to the FBI.

Since day one of this incident, the IT team and third-party specialists have worked tirelessly to safely restore affected systems, minimize any impact on our ability to serve patients and implement additional security features to further secure our network.

"We’d like to thank our doctors and all staff for their hard work continuing hospital operations during network restoration efforts, which are in their final stages. The hospital is currently operating at normal capacity," the hospital said in a press release.

While we are still determining the full scope of potential impact on data stored on our network, we have no reason to believe the criminal perpetrators of this incident accessed or stole any personal identification information and/or protected health information from our network, the press release said.

Therefore, we do not believe there is any risk to the security of any such information. We will update our community and any impacted individuals should this conclusion change, the press release said.

The hospital IT team will be using lessons learned from this incident to further harden our network amid what is a constantly changing cybersecurity landscape.

This incident is also an important reminder for all of us to remain vigilant about cybersecurity, especially amid continued and escalating threats from criminal actors who routinely target health care providers across the country, the press release said.

WAKEEENEY—Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital began experiencing a computer network disruption on May 6, according to a media release from the hospital.In response, the hospital immediately activated its incident response plan and began investigating the issue with its IT team and third-party specialists.The investigation confirmed the hospital had been targeted by a sophisticated ransomware attack, which we promptly reported to the FBI.Since day one of this incident, the IT team and third-party specialists have worked tirelessly to safely restore affected systems, minimize any impact on our ability to serve patients and implement additional security features to further secure our network."We’d like to thank our doctors and all staff for their hard work continuing hospital operations during network restoration efforts, which are in their final stages. The hospital is currently operating at normal capacity," the hospital said in a press release.While we are still determining the full scope of potential impact on data stored on our network, we have no reason to believe the criminal perpetrators of this incident accessed or stole any personal identification information and/or protected health information from our network, the press release said.Therefore, we do not believe there is any risk to the security of any such information. We will update our community and any impacted individuals should this conclusion change, the press release said.The hospital IT team will be using lessons learned from this incident to further harden our network amid what is a constantly changing cybersecurity landscape.This incident is also an important reminder for all of us to remain vigilant about cybersecurity, especially amid continued and escalating threats from criminal actors who routinely target health care providers across the country, the press release said.

Rural NW Kansas hospital reports ransomware attack

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN - On Tuesday, Winfried(Wynn) Butler, former mayor of the city of Manhattan, made <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/3b983dcc-7663-43b1-8898-59c00fd570da">his first appearance at Manhattan Municipal Court for alleged DUI</a>.

Butler appeared in court with his lawyer. Butler pled not guilty to the charge of <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/73dca288-9ecb-43c8-a9d3-bf22b0b2f5e0">driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;.</a>

Butler is charged with DUI following an incident on May 8th, when his vehicle entered Candlewood Liquor store.

<a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/1eb1632e-ed16-4249-a414-541d6af70f9e">Butler resigned from his position as mayor</a> on May 9th, following his arrest.

Butler's next court appearance is Wednesday, June 26th at 4:00pm at the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/mvK7sAk4m8KrEvFq7">Manhattan Municipal Court</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715272595068.png" alt="Images of crash damage courtesy Caldlewood Liquor Store" />
 <figcaption>Images of crash damage courtesy Caldlewood Liquor Store</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - On Tuesday, Winfried(Wynn) Butler, former mayor of the city of Manhattan, made <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/3b983dcc-7663-43b1-8898-59c00fd570da">his first appearance at Manhattan Municipal Court for alleged DUI</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716309140279.png" alt="Wynn Butler waiting outside Manhattan Municipal Court, photo submitted&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Wynn Butler waiting outside Manhattan Municipal Court, photo submitted&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Butler appeared in court with his lawyer. Butler pled not guilty to the charge of <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/73dca288-9ecb-43c8-a9d3-bf22b0b2f5e0">driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;.</a>Butler is charged with DUI following an incident on May 8th, when his vehicle entered Candlewood Liquor store.<a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/1eb1632e-ed16-4249-a414-541d6af70f9e">Butler resigned from his position as mayor</a> on May 9th, following his arrest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715272569983.png" alt="Images of crash damage courtesy Caldlewood Liquor Store" />
 <figcaption>Images of crash damage courtesy Caldlewood Liquor Store</figcaption>
 </figure>Butler's next court appearance is Wednesday, June 26th at 4:00pm at the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/mvK7sAk4m8KrEvFq7">Manhattan Municipal Court</a>.&nbsp;

Former Kan. mayor enters plea for alleged DUI crash into liquor store

PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has long argued that the biggest hurdle of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;is the perception that independent candidates can't win. He has looked to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">debates</a>&nbsp;as a singular opportunity to stand alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in front of a massive audience.

But to make the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-negotiations-19c44db099680cab6fe702638394cd82">first debate stage</a>, he’ll have to secure a place on the ballot in at least a dozen more states and improve his showing in national polls in one month.

With a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kennedy-rfk-trump-pennsylvania-b411e744d3b13fc6365029cb3dfd00c4">famous name</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-independent-phoenix-ce8ef411c13bb7d5fc4ddff198cbbac9">loyal base</a>, Kennedy has the potential to do better than any third-party presidential candidate since Ross Perot in the 1990s. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns, who fear he could play spoiler,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/commission-presidential-debates-future-nonpartisan-early-voters-01a7cfe1817dc110d14635536f1f86b1">bypassed the nonpartisan debate commission</a>&nbsp;and agreed to a schedule that leaves Kennedy very little time to qualify for the first debate.

Publicly, Kennedy is expressing confidence that he will make the stage.

“I look forward to holding Presidents Biden and Trump accountable for their records in Atlanta on June 27 to give Americans the debate they deserve," he posted on the X platform.

CNN has said candidates will be invited if they’ve secured a place on the ballot in states with at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum needed to win the presidency, and have hit 15% in four reliable polls published since March 13. The criteria mirror those used by the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonpartisan group that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presidential-debates-2024-biden-trump-rnc-boycott-3d4fa26b50d725d83ef7d2d19e723d3a">organized debates</a>&nbsp;since 1988, except the commission's first debate would have been in September, giving Kennedy more time.

Kennedy doesn’t appear to have met the polling criteria yet, although he has reached 15% or higher in at least two polls meeting CNN's standards.

The ballot access hurdle is even tougher.

State officials have confirmed Kennedy's place on the ballot in Delaware, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">Utah</a>, which have just 16 electoral votes between them. In California, Hawaii and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-michigan-ballot-access-02ffeba594e0198ef74961c4b5c6c7f7">Michigan</a>, minor parties have selected Kennedy as their nominee, in effect offering up existing ballot lines, though the states have not formally affirmed Kennedy's position. Adding them would bring Kennedy's total to 89 electoral votes, though it's not clear that his position in those states would meet CNN's criteria.

Kennedy's campaign says he has collected enough signatures in Idaho,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-kennedy-ballot-access-iowa-ebc526eb8370bc5ac0888fa50af3ba4f">Iowa</a>, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, states with 112 electoral votes in total. But he has either not submitted the signatures or they have not yet been affirmed by state election officials.

Those states still only add up to 201 electoral votes.

Independent candidates like Kennedy face a labyrinth of laws that vary wildly from state to state but generally require hundreds or thousands of signatures and compliance with strict deadlines.

The patchwork of laws is littered with pitfalls. And the Democratic National Committee has pledged to scrutinize Kennedy’s submissions for mistakes that could keep him off the ballot or at least tie up his campaign’s time and money.

Kennedy, in turn, has resorted to secrecy and creative tactics in a sort of cat-and-mouse game to get on the ballot before his critics can thwart him. In California, Delaware and Michigan, Kennedy allied with little-known existing parties and received their nominations. In Hawaii, he formed his own political party to nominate him, and he’s pursued a similar strategy in Mississippi and North Carolina.

Elsewhere, he’s waiting to turn in signatures until the deadline to limit the time for critics to pore over them in search of errors. Getting on the debate stage next month would almost certainly require him to change his strategy and submit the petitions he’s sitting on as soon as possible.

Signatures are due in New York by May 28, which would get Kennedy 28 votes closer if they're affirmed in time. He could then try to make an all-out push in a bunch of states with relatively easy requirements — many require 5,000 or fewer signatures, but they generally don't bring many electoral votes — or focus on bigger states, such as Illinois with 19 electoral votes or Florida with 30.

Further complicating matters, some states aren't yet accepting filings from potential independent candidates and won't before the first debate.

Kennedy’s vice presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-bobby-kennedy-vp-running-mate-6be6d7e04ba7d9e74190b8c01a1bf075">Nicole Shanahan</a>, who is divorced from Google co-founder Sergei Brin, committed $8 million from her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nicole-shanahan-rfk-jr-running-mate-4ca2192ccfa0a0cbfea6026e792dd4c8">personal fortune</a>&nbsp;for ballot access, the campaign announced Thursday, declaring their $15 million effort “fully funded.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715712591224.png" alt="File photo- Robert F. Kennedy during a campaign rally last week" />
 <figcaption>File photo- Robert F. Kennedy during a campaign rally last week</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has long argued that the biggest hurdle of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;is the perception that independent candidates can't win. He has looked to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">debates</a>&nbsp;as a singular opportunity to stand alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in front of a massive audience.But to make the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-negotiations-19c44db099680cab6fe702638394cd82">first debate stage</a>, he’ll have to secure a place on the ballot in at least a dozen more states and improve his showing in national polls in one month.With a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kennedy-rfk-trump-pennsylvania-b411e744d3b13fc6365029cb3dfd00c4">famous name</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-independent-phoenix-ce8ef411c13bb7d5fc4ddff198cbbac9">loyal base</a>, Kennedy has the potential to do better than any third-party presidential candidate since Ross Perot in the 1990s. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns, who fear he could play spoiler,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/commission-presidential-debates-future-nonpartisan-early-voters-01a7cfe1817dc110d14635536f1f86b1">bypassed the nonpartisan debate commission</a>&nbsp;and agreed to a schedule that leaves Kennedy very little time to qualify for the first debate.Publicly, Kennedy is expressing confidence that he will make the stage.“I look forward to holding Presidents Biden and Trump accountable for their records in Atlanta on June 27 to give Americans the debate they deserve," he posted on the X platform.CNN has said candidates will be invited if they’ve secured a place on the ballot in states with at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum needed to win the presidency, and have hit 15% in four reliable polls published since March 13. The criteria mirror those used by the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonpartisan group that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presidential-debates-2024-biden-trump-rnc-boycott-3d4fa26b50d725d83ef7d2d19e723d3a">organized debates</a>&nbsp;since 1988, except the commission's first debate would have been in September, giving Kennedy more time.Kennedy doesn’t appear to have met the polling criteria yet, although he has reached 15% or higher in at least two polls meeting CNN's standards.The ballot access hurdle is even tougher.State officials have confirmed Kennedy's place on the ballot in Delaware, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">Utah</a>, which have just 16 electoral votes between them. In California, Hawaii and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-michigan-ballot-access-02ffeba594e0198ef74961c4b5c6c7f7">Michigan</a>, minor parties have selected Kennedy as their nominee, in effect offering up existing ballot lines, though the states have not formally affirmed Kennedy's position. Adding them would bring Kennedy's total to 89 electoral votes, though it's not clear that his position in those states would meet CNN's criteria.Kennedy's campaign says he has collected enough signatures in Idaho,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-kennedy-ballot-access-iowa-ebc526eb8370bc5ac0888fa50af3ba4f">Iowa</a>, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, states with 112 electoral votes in total. But he has either not submitted the signatures or they have not yet been affirmed by state election officials.Those states still only add up to 201 electoral votes.Independent candidates like Kennedy face a labyrinth of laws that vary wildly from state to state but generally require hundreds or thousands of signatures and compliance with strict deadlines.The patchwork of laws is littered with pitfalls. And the Democratic National Committee has pledged to scrutinize Kennedy’s submissions for mistakes that could keep him off the ballot or at least tie up his campaign’s time and money.Kennedy, in turn, has resorted to secrecy and creative tactics in a sort of cat-and-mouse game to get on the ballot before his critics can thwart him. In California, Delaware and Michigan, Kennedy allied with little-known existing parties and received their nominations. In Hawaii, he formed his own political party to nominate him, and he’s pursued a similar strategy in Mississippi and North Carolina.Elsewhere, he’s waiting to turn in signatures until the deadline to limit the time for critics to pore over them in search of errors. Getting on the debate stage next month would almost certainly require him to change his strategy and submit the petitions he’s sitting on as soon as possible.Signatures are due in New York by May 28, which would get Kennedy 28 votes closer if they're affirmed in time. He could then try to make an all-out push in a bunch of states with relatively easy requirements — many require 5,000 or fewer signatures, but they generally don't bring many electoral votes — or focus on bigger states, such as Illinois with 19 electoral votes or Florida with 30.Further complicating matters, some states aren't yet accepting filings from potential independent candidates and won't before the first debate.Kennedy’s vice presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-bobby-kennedy-vp-running-mate-6be6d7e04ba7d9e74190b8c01a1bf075">Nicole Shanahan</a>, who is divorced from Google co-founder Sergei Brin, committed $8 million from her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nicole-shanahan-rfk-jr-running-mate-4ca2192ccfa0a0cbfea6026e792dd4c8">personal fortune</a>&nbsp;for ballot access, the campaign announced Thursday, declaring their $15 million effort “fully funded.”

How Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could make the debate stage under Biden-Trump rules

KANSAS CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-missouri-christopher-dunn-e40f99b8205113e37bd6396071a0be9f">Christopher Dunn</a>&nbsp;has spent 33 years in prison for a murder he has claimed from the outset that he didn't commit. A hearing this week will determine if he should go free.

St. Louis prosecutors are now convinced Dunn is telling the truth, but lawyers for the Missouri Attorney General's Office disagree and will argue for keeping him behind bars. Dunn, 52, is serving a sentence of life without parole at the state prison in Locking, Missouri, but is expected to attend the hearing before Judge Jason Sengheiser that begins Tuesday.

The hearing follows a motion filed in February By St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. A Missouri law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">adopted in 2021</a>&nbsp;allows prosecutors to request hearings in cases where they believe there is evidence of a wrongful conviction.

Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers in 1990, based largely on the testimony of two boys who said they witnessed the shooting. The witnesses, ages 12 and 14 at the time, later recanted, claiming they were coerced by police and prosecutors.

In May 2023, then-St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-st-louis-dunn-gardner-67ac197d6adde41df36f353347784b97">filed a motion</a>&nbsp;to vacate Dunn’s sentence. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kim-gardner-resignation-st-louis-missouri-42d0302e1b25f07c18d82a3254087b74">Gardner resigned</a>&nbsp;days later, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-prosecutor-replacement-25df947bd6d23c565db749cda24cb946">after his appointment</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Mike Parson, Gore wanted to conduct his own investigation. Gore announced in February that he would seek to overturn the conviction.

Dunn, who is Black, was 18 when Rogers was shot to death on the night of May 18, 1990. No physical evidence linked Dunn to the crime but the two boys told police at the time that they saw Dunn standing in the gangway of the house next door, just minutes before shots rang out.

Rogers and the two boys ran when they heard the shots, but Roger was fatally struck, according to court records.

A judge has heard Dunn’s innocence case before.

At an evidentiary hearing in 2020, Judge William Hickle agreed that a jury would likely find Dunn not guilty based on new evidence. But Hickle declined to exonerate Dunn, citing a 2016 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that only death row inmates — not those like Dunn sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole — could make a “freestanding” claim of actual innocence.

The 2021 law has resulted in the the release of two men who both spent decades in prison.

In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-bba67efd61eaa165165e29a7298a1dc3">Kevin Strickland</a>&nbsp;was freed after more than 40 years behind bars for three killings in Kansas City after a judge ruled that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">had been wrongfully convicted in 1979</a>.

Last February, a St. Louis judge overturned the conviction of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-vacated-3eb7e5fbe6210dbc38b11995902b9947">Lamar Johnson</a>, who spent nearly 28 years in prison for a killing he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prisons-st-louis-missouri-state-government-89e58b911e0dff1eaa79b0c48372abc2">always said he didn’t commit</a>. At a hearing in December 2022, another man testified that it was he — not Johnson — who joined a second man in the killing. A witness testified that police had “bullied” him into implicating Johnson. And Johnson’s girlfriend at the time had testified that they were together that night.

A hearing date is still pending in another case in which a Missouri murder conviction is being challenged for a man who was nearly executed for the crime.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion in January to vacate the conviction of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inmate-dna-evidence-0a179b0aafb1a0c0a3e144f7e3592a62">Marcellus Williams,</a>&nbsp;who narrowly escaped lethal injection seven years ago for the fatal stabbing of Lisha Gayle in 1998. Bell’s motion said three experts have determined that Williams' DNA was not on the handle of the butcher knife used in the killing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716285440731.png" alt="Dunn photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Dunn photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-missouri-christopher-dunn-e40f99b8205113e37bd6396071a0be9f">Christopher Dunn</a>&nbsp;has spent 33 years in prison for a murder he has claimed from the outset that he didn't commit. A hearing this week will determine if he should go free.St. Louis prosecutors are now convinced Dunn is telling the truth, but lawyers for the Missouri Attorney General's Office disagree and will argue for keeping him behind bars. Dunn, 52, is serving a sentence of life without parole at the state prison in Locking, Missouri, but is expected to attend the hearing before Judge Jason Sengheiser that begins Tuesday.The hearing follows a motion filed in February By St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. A Missouri law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">adopted in 2021</a>&nbsp;allows prosecutors to request hearings in cases where they believe there is evidence of a wrongful conviction.Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers in 1990, based largely on the testimony of two boys who said they witnessed the shooting. The witnesses, ages 12 and 14 at the time, later recanted, claiming they were coerced by police and prosecutors.In May 2023, then-St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-st-louis-dunn-gardner-67ac197d6adde41df36f353347784b97">filed a motion</a>&nbsp;to vacate Dunn’s sentence. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kim-gardner-resignation-st-louis-missouri-42d0302e1b25f07c18d82a3254087b74">Gardner resigned</a>&nbsp;days later, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-prosecutor-replacement-25df947bd6d23c565db749cda24cb946">after his appointment</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Mike Parson, Gore wanted to conduct his own investigation. Gore announced in February that he would seek to overturn the conviction.Dunn, who is Black, was 18 when Rogers was shot to death on the night of May 18, 1990. No physical evidence linked Dunn to the crime but the two boys told police at the time that they saw Dunn standing in the gangway of the house next door, just minutes before shots rang out.Rogers and the two boys ran when they heard the shots, but Roger was fatally struck, according to court records.A judge has heard Dunn’s innocence case before.At an evidentiary hearing in 2020, Judge William Hickle agreed that a jury would likely find Dunn not guilty based on new evidence. But Hickle declined to exonerate Dunn, citing a 2016 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that only death row inmates — not those like Dunn sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole — could make a “freestanding” claim of actual innocence.The 2021 law has resulted in the the release of two men who both spent decades in prison.In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-bba67efd61eaa165165e29a7298a1dc3">Kevin Strickland</a>&nbsp;was freed after more than 40 years behind bars for three killings in Kansas City after a judge ruled that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">had been wrongfully convicted in 1979</a>.Last February, a St. Louis judge overturned the conviction of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-vacated-3eb7e5fbe6210dbc38b11995902b9947">Lamar Johnson</a>, who spent nearly 28 years in prison for a killing he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prisons-st-louis-missouri-state-government-89e58b911e0dff1eaa79b0c48372abc2">always said he didn’t commit</a>. At a hearing in December 2022, another man testified that it was he — not Johnson — who joined a second man in the killing. A witness testified that police had “bullied” him into implicating Johnson. And Johnson’s girlfriend at the time had testified that they were together that night.A hearing date is still pending in another case in which a Missouri murder conviction is being challenged for a man who was nearly executed for the crime.St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion in January to vacate the conviction of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inmate-dna-evidence-0a179b0aafb1a0c0a3e144f7e3592a62">Marcellus Williams,</a>&nbsp;who narrowly escaped lethal injection seven years ago for the fatal stabbing of Lisha Gayle in 1998. Bell’s motion said three experts have determined that Williams' DNA was not on the handle of the butcher knife used in the killing.

Hearing to determine if Mo. man in prison for 33-years was wrongfully convicted

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Run for the Wall convoy ran for shelter when a storm struck during their stop at Bunker Hill, delaying their cross-country journey.

The nonprofit raises awareness for veterans, prisoners of war and those who are missing in action.

On the fifth day of the central route's expedition, the motorcyclists were halted by strong winds, heavy rain and hail on Sunday.

After exiting Interstate 70, the motorcade stopped for gas at Sunmart, 4115 193rd St., before being abruptly instructed to take cover inside the gas station.

Motorcyclist Mark Ruffalo from Los Angeles said that while he had encountered earthquakes before, the unexpected storm was a new experience.

"All of a sudden, we get these tornado warnings," he said. "I've never seen anything grow so far."

For about 45 minutes, the patriots and other travelers took shelter in the truck stop's backroom as the lights flickered and the sound of roaring winds and hail echoed outside.

Motorcyclist and Navy Veteran Darwin Hansen from Idaho said he was not fond of the storm but remained optimistic.

"I didn't like that," Hansen said. "It's been good up until this point, but it's still fun."

According to a <a href="https://rftw.us/may-19-2024-day-5-to-dc-limon-co-to-junction-city-ks/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2N9WRr3ave3BAol37Xkoht5dzmr-PjxH5ShReOklAfbxBFb4JJsgWeSDo_aem_AemN2FCmpl7DEDjUQKhzW0t0uYwAbEfaiCwo_SWohZIjEON_5a_mdIObApiDSxz__bNsGUAHSPTqeDDqXUiLQi8h">post by Run for the Wall</a>, motorcyclists rode through the storm and endured golf-ball-sized hail for more than an hour, resulting in marks and welts on their bodies.

Members of the convoy were scattered up to 31 miles from the truck stop.&nbsp;All riders were accounted for, according to the statement.

According to Russell County, the area faced golf-ball-sized hail and wind gusts reaching 82 mph,&nbsp;resulting in damage across the community and leaving many without power.

This marks Hansen's first time in the Run for the Wall, who said he was excited about visiting the Vietnam Wall memorial in Washington, D.C.

"It's something that I wanted to do before my time is up," he said.

The coast-to-coast routes include the central route, the midway route, the southern route and the sandbox route.

The Run for the Wall concludes at the nation's capital before embarking on a three-day "run" to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois.

Ruffalo said the ride is a deeply emotional and patriotic tribute to retired soldiers, prisoners of war and those missing in action.

"We ride for those who can't ride anymore and who are not with us anymore," he said.

About two hours after seeking shelter, the riders returned to their motorcycles and continued their journey to Junction City, enduring more rain along the way. They are expected to reach Washington, D.C., by Saturday.

About 35 years ago, Run for the Wall was started by veterans who rode motorcycles, working with local radio, television and newspapers to bring attention to the thousands of people still unaccounted for from different wars.

Due to freeway closures, Ruffalo said the convoy has not encountered a single red light, calling the ride a "military operation."

"We can never forget that freedom is not free. A lot of people put their lives on the line for all of us, and that's why I'm riding," he said.

You can follow the Run for the Wall ride on its <a href="https://rftw.us/">website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheWall">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716222677630.jpeg" alt="The Run for the Wall convoy arriving at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Run for the Wall convoy arriving at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Run for the Wall convoy ran for shelter when a storm struck during their stop at Bunker Hill, delaying their cross-country journey.The nonprofit raises awareness for veterans, prisoners of war and those who are missing in action.On the fifth day of the central route's expedition, the motorcyclists were halted by strong winds, heavy rain and hail on Sunday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716222893608.jpeg" alt="Run for the Wall attendees watching a low storm cloud approach at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Run for the Wall attendees watching a low storm cloud approach at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716222945024.jpeg" alt="The low storm cloud above the Sunmart at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The low storm cloud above the Sunmart at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>After exiting Interstate 70, the motorcade stopped for gas at Sunmart, 4115 193rd St., before being abruptly instructed to take cover inside the gas station.Motorcyclist Mark Ruffalo from Los Angeles said that while he had encountered earthquakes before, the unexpected storm was a new experience."All of a sudden, we get these tornado warnings," he said. "I've never seen anything grow so far."For about 45 minutes, the patriots and other travelers took shelter in the truck stop's backroom as the lights flickered and the sound of roaring winds and hail echoed outside.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716222991603.jpeg" alt="Run for the Wall riders, attendees and other travelers in the backroom of Sunmart at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Run for the Wall riders, attendees and other travelers in the backroom of Sunmart at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223031652.jpeg" alt="A Run for the Wall rider calming distressed travelers and attendees in the backroom of the Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A Run for the Wall rider calming distressed travelers and attendees in the backroom of the Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Motorcyclist and Navy Veteran Darwin Hansen from Idaho said he was not fond of the storm but remained optimistic."I didn't like that," Hansen said. "It's been good up until this point, but it's still fun."According to a <a href="https://rftw.us/may-19-2024-day-5-to-dc-limon-co-to-junction-city-ks/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2N9WRr3ave3BAol37Xkoht5dzmr-PjxH5ShReOklAfbxBFb4JJsgWeSDo_aem_AemN2FCmpl7DEDjUQKhzW0t0uYwAbEfaiCwo_SWohZIjEON_5a_mdIObApiDSxz__bNsGUAHSPTqeDDqXUiLQi8h">post by Run for the Wall</a>, motorcyclists rode through the storm and endured golf-ball-sized hail for more than an hour, resulting in marks and welts on their bodies.Members of the convoy were scattered up to 31 miles from the truck stop.&nbsp;All riders were accounted for, according to the statement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716231982379.jpeg" alt="Lanes of motorcycles in the Sunmart parking lot at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Lanes of motorcycles in the Sunmart parking lot at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716232041794.jpeg" alt="Motorcyclists driving in rain at the Sunmart parking lot at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Motorcyclists driving in rain at the Sunmart parking lot at Bunker Hill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>According to Russell County, the area faced golf-ball-sized hail and wind gusts reaching 82 mph,&nbsp;resulting in damage across the community and leaving many without power.This marks Hansen's first time in the Run for the Wall, who said he was excited about visiting the Vietnam Wall memorial in Washington, D.C."It's something that I wanted to do before my time is up," he said.The coast-to-coast routes include the central route, the midway route, the southern route and the sandbox route.The Run for the Wall concludes at the nation's capital before embarking on a three-day "run" to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois.Ruffalo said the ride is a deeply emotional and patriotic tribute to retired soldiers, prisoners of war and those missing in action."We ride for those who can't ride anymore and who are not with us anymore," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223242457.jpeg" alt="Remembrance stickers on a motorcycle at the Run for the Wall.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Remembrance stickers on a motorcycle at the Run for the Wall.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223450203.jpeg" alt="Run for the Wall participants outside of Sunmart at Bunker Hill after the storm.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Run for the Wall participants outside of Sunmart at Bunker Hill after the storm.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>About two hours after seeking shelter, the riders returned to their motorcycles and continued their journey to Junction City, enduring more rain along the way. They are expected to reach Washington, D.C., by Saturday.About 35 years ago, Run for the Wall was started by veterans who rode motorcycles, working with local radio, television and newspapers to bring attention to the thousands of people still unaccounted for from different wars.Due to freeway closures, Ruffalo said the convoy has not encountered a single red light, calling the ride a "military operation.""We can never forget that freedom is not free. A lot of people put their lives on the line for all of us, and that's why I'm riding," he said.You can follow the Run for the Wall ride on its <a href="https://rftw.us/">website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheWall">Facebook</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223276737.jpeg" alt="A Run for the Wall motorcyclist arriving at Sunmart in Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A Run for the Wall motorcyclist arriving at Sunmart in Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223333575.jpeg" alt="The Run for the Wall motorcade lining up for gas at Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Run for the Wall motorcade lining up for gas at Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223366702.jpeg" alt="Two motorcyclists driving through Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Two motorcyclists driving through Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716223404775.jpeg" alt="A motorcycle parked outside of Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A motorcycle parked outside of Sunmart at Bunker Hill.&nbsp;Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716235075118.jpeg" alt="Three-wheel motorcycles parked at the Sunmart parking lot with the U.S. flag hanging from a crane. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Three-wheel motorcycles parked at the Sunmart parking lot with the U.S. flag hanging from a crane. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

Run for Wall convoy hit by storm at Bunker Hill

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-ebrahim-raisi-obituary-helicopter-crash-107ffb888540ef022a84ec719b81398c">President Ebrahim Raisi</a>&nbsp;and the country’s foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.

On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "Reminder: Raisi, the President of the Iranian terrorist regime was pure evil. He has the blood of innocent people on his hands. No sympathy from me."

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in the Shiite theocracy, quickly named a little-known vice president as caretaker and insisted the government was in control, but the deaths marked yet another blow to a country beset by pressures at home and abroad.

Iran has offered no cause for the crash nor suggested sabotage brought down the helicopter, which fell in mountainous terrain in a sudden, intense fog.

In Tehran, Iran’s capital, businesses were open and children attended school Monday. However, there was a noticeable presence of both uniformed and plainclothes security forces.

Later in the day, hundreds of mourners crowded into downtown Vali-e-Asr square holding posters of Raisi and waving Palestinian flags. Some men clutched prayer beads and were visibly crying. Women wearing black chadors gathered together holding photos of the dead leader.

“We were shocked that we lost such a character, a character that made Iran proud, and humiliated the enemies,” said Mohammad Beheshti, 36.

The crash comes as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;roils the region. Iran-backed Hamas led the attack that started the conflict, and Hezbollah, also supported by Tehran, has fired rockets at Israel. Last month, Iran launched its own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-mideast-tensions-4-19-2024-a7ccbae2e2844bab089e8e4377a24ddb">unprecedented drone-and-missile attack</a>&nbsp;on Israel.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-election-ebrahim-raisi-judiciary-turnout-middle-east-4d60554fd608a5dea2c76a303ec352d8">hard-liner who formerly led the country’s judiciary</a>, Raisi, 63, was viewed as a protege of Khamenei. During his tenure, relations continued to deteriorate with the West as Iran enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels and supplied bomb-carrying drones to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia for its war in Ukraine</a>.

His government has also faced years of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-morality-police-explainer-b53475eda867a4158ac5032fe1b3e62e">mass protests</a>&nbsp;over the ailing economy and women’s rights.

The crash killed all eight people aboard a Bell 212 helicopter that Iran purchased in the early 2000s, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Among the dead were Iranian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-obit-hossein-amirabdollahian-helicopter-crash-foreign-minister-857a066350eb64709648e1830c34bc23">Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian</a>, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, a senior cleric from Tabriz, a Revolutionary Guard official and three crew members, IRNA said.

Iran has flown Bell helicopters extensively since the shah’s era. But aircraft in Iran face a shortage of parts because of Western sanctions, and often fly without safety checks. Against that backdrop, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame the United States for the crash.

“One of the main culprits of yesterday’s tragedy is the United States, which ... embargoed the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran and does not allow the people of Iran to enjoy good aviation facilities,” Zarif told The Associated Press.

Ali Vaez, Iran project director with the International Crisis Group, said that while U.S. sanctions have deprived Iran of the ability to renew and repair its fleet for decades, "one can’t overlook human error and the weather’s role in this particular accident.’’

Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst and consultant, said Iran likely is tapping the black market for parts, but questioned whether Iran has the maintenance skills to keep older helicopters flying safely.

“Black-market parts and whatever local maintenance capabilities they’ve got — that’s not a good combination,” he said.

There are 15 Bell 212 helicopters with an average age of 35 years currently registered in Iran that could be in active use or in storage, according to aviation data firm Cirium.

State TV gave no immediate cause for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/helicopter-iranian-president-crash">the crash</a>&nbsp;in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Footage released by IRNA showed the crash site, across a steep valley in a green mountain range.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. continues to monitor the situation surrounding the “very unfortunate helicopter crash” but has no insight into the cause. “I don’t necessarily see any broader regional security impacts at this point in time,” he said.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Raisi's death is not expected to have any substantive impact on difficult U.S.-Iran relations, or Iran’s support of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

“We have to assume that the supreme leader is the one who makes these decisions and the supreme leader, as he did in the last so-called election, made sure to stack the deck with only candidates that met his mandates,” Kirby said.

He called the accusation that U.S. sanctions contributed to the crash “baseless,” adding: “Every country, no matter who they are has a responsibility, their own responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of its equipment.”

For now, Khamenei has named the first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, as caretaker, in line with the constitution. The election for a successor is to be held on June 28, IRNA said. Raisi’s funeral will take place Thursday in Mashhad, the city where he was born, with other funerals to be held on Tuesday, state TV said.

It said Ali Bagheri Kani, a nuclear negotiator for Iran, will serve as the country’s acting foreign minister.

Condolences&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/92ce7ff3851e632f8d347e253d38143b">poured in</a>&nbsp;from allies after Iran confirmed there were no survivors. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on the social media platform X that his country “stands with Iran in this time of sorrow." Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a statement released by the Kremlin, described Raisi “as a true friend of Russia.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, China’s Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar Assad also offered condolences. Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, said he and his government were “deeply shocked.” Raisi was returning Sunday from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan, where he had inaugurated a dam with Aliyev, when the crash happened.

The death also stunned Iranians, and Khamenei declared five days of public mourning. But many have been ground down by the collapse of the country’s rial currency and worries about regional conflicts spinning out of control with Israel or Pakistan, which Iran exchanged fire with this year.

“He tried to carry out his duties well, but I don’t think he was as successful as he should have been,” said Mahrooz Mohammadi Zadeh, 53, a resident of Tehran.

Khamenei stressed the business of Iran’s government would continue no matter what — but Raisi’s death raised the specter of what will happen after the 85-year-old supreme leader either resigns or dies. The final say in all matters of state rests with his office and only two men have held the position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Raisi had been discussed as a contender. The only other person suggested was Khamenei’s 55-year-old son, Mojtaba. However, concerns have been raised over the position going to a family member, particularly after the revolution overthrew the hereditary Pahlavi monarchy of the shah.

An emergency meeting of Iran’s Cabinet issued a statement pledging it would follow Raisi’s path and that “with the help of God and the people, there will be no problem with management of the country.”

Raisi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-iran-nuclear-biden-inauguration-fe35a7b837d2b7966840cf14030f9073">won Iran’s 2021 presidential election</a>, in a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. He was sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war.

Mass protests in the country have raged for years. The most recent involved the 2022 death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eu-sakharov-prize-masha-amini-5a24ba82e8b7819afae72e9dff4bc25e">Mahsa Amini,</a>&nbsp;a woman detained over her allegedly loose headscarf, or hijab. The monthslong security crackdown that followed the demonstrations killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained.

In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the “physical violence” that led to Amini’s death.

Raisi is the second Iranian president to die in office. In 1981, a bomb blast killed President Mohammad Ali Rajai in the chaotic days after the country’s Islamic Revolution.

Iran holds regular elections for president and parliament with universal suffrage.

But the supreme leader has final say on all major policies, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful Revolutionary Guard.

The supreme leader also appoints half of the 12-member Guardian Council, a clerical body that vets candidates for president, parliament and the Assembly of Experts, an elected body of jurists in charge of choosing the supreme leader.

In theory, the clerics oversee the republic to ensure it complies with Islamic law. In practice, the supreme leader carefully manages the ruling system to balance competing interests, advance his own priorities and ensure that no one challenges the Islamic Republic or his role atop it.

Raisi, a hard-liner who was seen as a protege of Khamenei, was elected president in 2021 after the Guardian Council blocked any other well-known candidate from running against him, and turnout was the lowest in the history of the Islamic Republic. He succeeded Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who had served as president for the past eight years and defeated Raisi in 2017.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48">After Raisi's death</a>, in accordance with Iran's constitution, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammad-mokhber-raisi-crash-2cf93c2e6fb11f9c2aff13fed133db41">a relative unknown</a>, became caretaker president, with elections mandated within 50 days. That vote will likely be carefully managed to produce a president who maintains the status quo.

That means Iran will continue to impose some degree of Islamic rule and crack down on dissent. It will enrich uranium,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/helicopter-iranian-president-crash#0000018f-9639-df52-abef-dfbd7a3b0000">support armed groups across the Middle East</a>&nbsp;and view the West with deep suspicion.

Presidents come and go, some more moderate than others, but each operates under the structure of the ruling system.

If any major change occurs in Iran, it is likely to come after the passing of Khamenei, when a new supreme leader will be chosen for only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Khamenei succeeded the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.

The next supreme leader will be chosen by the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, who are elected every eight years from candidates vetted by the Guardian Council.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-parliamentary-election-results-low-turnout-845fabad51eb26bf7fef8087c030f8f8">In the most recent election</a>, in March, Rouhani was barred from running, while Raisi won a seat.

Any discussion of the succession, or machinations related to it, occur far from the public eye, making it hard to know who may be in the running. But the two people seen by analysts as most likely to succeed Khamenei were Raisi and the supreme leader's own son, Mojtaba, 55, a Shiite cleric who has never held government office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE SUPREME LEADER'S SON SUCCEEDS HIM?

Leaders of the Islamic Republic going back to the 1979 revolution have portrayed their system as superior, not only to the democracies of a decadent West, but to the military dictatorships and monarchies that prevail across the Middle East.

The transfer of power from the supreme leader to his son could spark anger, not only among Iranians who are already critical of clerical rule, but supporters of the system who might see it as un-Islamic.

Western sanctions linked to the nuclear program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-sanctions-persian-carpet-sales-kashan-717d118d8fb0e2787fa5c3d2b3c1850c">have devastated Iran's economy</a>. And the enforcement of Islamic rule, which grew more severe under Raisi, has further alienated women and young people.

The Islamic Republic has faced several waves of popular protests in recent years, most recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-morality-police-explainer-b53475eda867a4158ac5032fe1b3e62e">after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini</a>, who had been arrested for allegedly not covering her hair in public. More than 500 people were killed and over 22,000 were detained in a violent crackdown.

Raisi's death may make the transition to a new supreme leader trickier, and it could spark more unrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716289391651.png" alt="People hold up posters of President Ebrahim Raisi during a mourning ceremony for him at Vali-e-Asr square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, May 20, 2024. Iranian President Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)" />
 <figcaption>People hold up posters of President Ebrahim Raisi during a mourning ceremony for him at Vali-e-Asr square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, May 20, 2024. Iranian President Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-ebrahim-raisi-obituary-helicopter-crash-107ffb888540ef022a84ec719b81398c">President Ebrahim Raisi</a>&nbsp;and the country’s foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "Reminder: Raisi, the President of the Iranian terrorist regime was pure evil. He has the blood of innocent people on his hands. No sympathy from me."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Reminder: Raisi, the President of the Iranian terrorist regime was pure evil. He has the blood of innocent people on his hands. No sympathy from me. <a href="https://t.co/ev5FPseR1s">pic.twitter.com/ev5FPseR1s</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1792660277780987999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in the Shiite theocracy, quickly named a little-known vice president as caretaker and insisted the government was in control, but the deaths marked yet another blow to a country beset by pressures at home and abroad.Iran has offered no cause for the crash nor suggested sabotage brought down the helicopter, which fell in mountainous terrain in a sudden, intense fog.In Tehran, Iran’s capital, businesses were open and children attended school Monday. However, there was a noticeable presence of both uniformed and plainclothes security forces.Later in the day, hundreds of mourners crowded into downtown Vali-e-Asr square holding posters of Raisi and waving Palestinian flags. Some men clutched prayer beads and were visibly crying. Women wearing black chadors gathered together holding photos of the dead leader.“We were shocked that we lost such a character, a character that made Iran proud, and humiliated the enemies,” said Mohammad Beheshti, 36.The crash comes as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;roils the region. Iran-backed Hamas led the attack that started the conflict, and Hezbollah, also supported by Tehran, has fired rockets at Israel. Last month, Iran launched its own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-mideast-tensions-4-19-2024-a7ccbae2e2844bab089e8e4377a24ddb">unprecedented drone-and-missile attack</a>&nbsp;on Israel.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-election-ebrahim-raisi-judiciary-turnout-middle-east-4d60554fd608a5dea2c76a303ec352d8">hard-liner who formerly led the country’s judiciary</a>, Raisi, 63, was viewed as a protege of Khamenei. During his tenure, relations continued to deteriorate with the West as Iran enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels and supplied bomb-carrying drones to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia for its war in Ukraine</a>.His government has also faced years of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-morality-police-explainer-b53475eda867a4158ac5032fe1b3e62e">mass protests</a>&nbsp;over the ailing economy and women’s rights.The crash killed all eight people aboard a Bell 212 helicopter that Iran purchased in the early 2000s, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Among the dead were Iranian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-obit-hossein-amirabdollahian-helicopter-crash-foreign-minister-857a066350eb64709648e1830c34bc23">Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian</a>, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, a senior cleric from Tabriz, a Revolutionary Guard official and three crew members, IRNA said.Iran has flown Bell helicopters extensively since the shah’s era. But aircraft in Iran face a shortage of parts because of Western sanctions, and often fly without safety checks. Against that backdrop, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame the United States for the crash.“One of the main culprits of yesterday’s tragedy is the United States, which ... embargoed the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran and does not allow the people of Iran to enjoy good aviation facilities,” Zarif told The Associated Press.Ali Vaez, Iran project director with the International Crisis Group, said that while U.S. sanctions have deprived Iran of the ability to renew and repair its fleet for decades, "one can’t overlook human error and the weather’s role in this particular accident.’’Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst and consultant, said Iran likely is tapping the black market for parts, but questioned whether Iran has the maintenance skills to keep older helicopters flying safely.“Black-market parts and whatever local maintenance capabilities they’ve got — that’s not a good combination,” he said.There are 15 Bell 212 helicopters with an average age of 35 years currently registered in Iran that could be in active use or in storage, according to aviation data firm Cirium.State TV gave no immediate cause for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/helicopter-iranian-president-crash">the crash</a>&nbsp;in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Footage released by IRNA showed the crash site, across a steep valley in a green mountain range.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. continues to monitor the situation surrounding the “very unfortunate helicopter crash” but has no insight into the cause. “I don’t necessarily see any broader regional security impacts at this point in time,” he said.White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Raisi's death is not expected to have any substantive impact on difficult U.S.-Iran relations, or Iran’s support of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Yemen-based Houthi rebels.“We have to assume that the supreme leader is the one who makes these decisions and the supreme leader, as he did in the last so-called election, made sure to stack the deck with only candidates that met his mandates,” Kirby said.He called the accusation that U.S. sanctions contributed to the crash “baseless,” adding: “Every country, no matter who they are has a responsibility, their own responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of its equipment.”For now, Khamenei has named the first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, as caretaker, in line with the constitution. The election for a successor is to be held on June 28, IRNA said. Raisi’s funeral will take place Thursday in Mashhad, the city where he was born, with other funerals to be held on Tuesday, state TV said.It said Ali Bagheri Kani, a nuclear negotiator for Iran, will serve as the country’s acting foreign minister.Condolences&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/92ce7ff3851e632f8d347e253d38143b">poured in</a>&nbsp;from allies after Iran confirmed there were no survivors. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on the social media platform X that his country “stands with Iran in this time of sorrow." Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a statement released by the Kremlin, described Raisi “as a true friend of Russia.”Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, China’s Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar Assad also offered condolences. Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, said he and his government were “deeply shocked.” Raisi was returning Sunday from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan, where he had inaugurated a dam with Aliyev, when the crash happened.The death also stunned Iranians, and Khamenei declared five days of public mourning. But many have been ground down by the collapse of the country’s rial currency and worries about regional conflicts spinning out of control with Israel or Pakistan, which Iran exchanged fire with this year.“He tried to carry out his duties well, but I don’t think he was as successful as he should have been,” said Mahrooz Mohammadi Zadeh, 53, a resident of Tehran.Khamenei stressed the business of Iran’s government would continue no matter what — but Raisi’s death raised the specter of what will happen after the 85-year-old supreme leader either resigns or dies. The final say in all matters of state rests with his office and only two men have held the position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.Raisi had been discussed as a contender. The only other person suggested was Khamenei’s 55-year-old son, Mojtaba. However, concerns have been raised over the position going to a family member, particularly after the revolution overthrew the hereditary Pahlavi monarchy of the shah.An emergency meeting of Iran’s Cabinet issued a statement pledging it would follow Raisi’s path and that “with the help of God and the people, there will be no problem with management of the country.”Raisi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-iran-nuclear-biden-inauguration-fe35a7b837d2b7966840cf14030f9073">won Iran’s 2021 presidential election</a>, in a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. He was sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war.Mass protests in the country have raged for years. The most recent involved the 2022 death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eu-sakharov-prize-masha-amini-5a24ba82e8b7819afae72e9dff4bc25e">Mahsa Amini,</a>&nbsp;a woman detained over her allegedly loose headscarf, or hijab. The monthslong security crackdown that followed the demonstrations killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained.In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the “physical violence” that led to Amini’s death.Raisi is the second Iranian president to die in office. In 1981, a bomb blast killed President Mohammad Ali Rajai in the chaotic days after the country’s Islamic Revolution.Here's a look at what comes next.HOW DOES IRAN'S GOVERNMENT WORK?Iran holds regular elections for president and parliament with universal suffrage.But the supreme leader has final say on all major policies, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful Revolutionary Guard.The supreme leader also appoints half of the 12-member Guardian Council, a clerical body that vets candidates for president, parliament and the Assembly of Experts, an elected body of jurists in charge of choosing the supreme leader.In theory, the clerics oversee the republic to ensure it complies with Islamic law. In practice, the supreme leader carefully manages the ruling system to balance competing interests, advance his own priorities and ensure that no one challenges the Islamic Republic or his role atop it.Raisi, a hard-liner who was seen as a protege of Khamenei, was elected president in 2021 after the Guardian Council blocked any other well-known candidate from running against him, and turnout was the lowest in the history of the Islamic Republic. He succeeded Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who had served as president for the past eight years and defeated Raisi in 2017.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48">After Raisi's death</a>, in accordance with Iran's constitution, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammad-mokhber-raisi-crash-2cf93c2e6fb11f9c2aff13fed133db41">a relative unknown</a>, became caretaker president, with elections mandated within 50 days. That vote will likely be carefully managed to produce a president who maintains the status quo.That means Iran will continue to impose some degree of Islamic rule and crack down on dissent. It will enrich uranium,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/helicopter-iranian-president-crash#0000018f-9639-df52-abef-dfbd7a3b0000">support armed groups across the Middle East</a>&nbsp;and view the West with deep suspicion.WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SUCCESSION?Presidents come and go, some more moderate than others, but each operates under the structure of the ruling system.If any major change occurs in Iran, it is likely to come after the passing of Khamenei, when a new supreme leader will be chosen for only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Khamenei succeeded the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.The next supreme leader will be chosen by the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, who are elected every eight years from candidates vetted by the Guardian Council.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-parliamentary-election-results-low-turnout-845fabad51eb26bf7fef8087c030f8f8">In the most recent election</a>, in March, Rouhani was barred from running, while Raisi won a seat.Any discussion of the succession, or machinations related to it, occur far from the public eye, making it hard to know who may be in the running. But the two people seen by analysts as most likely to succeed Khamenei were Raisi and the supreme leader's own son, Mojtaba, 55, a Shiite cleric who has never held government office.WHAT HAPPENS IF THE SUPREME LEADER'S SON SUCCEEDS HIM?Leaders of the Islamic Republic going back to the 1979 revolution have portrayed their system as superior, not only to the democracies of a decadent West, but to the military dictatorships and monarchies that prevail across the Middle East.The transfer of power from the supreme leader to his son could spark anger, not only among Iranians who are already critical of clerical rule, but supporters of the system who might see it as un-Islamic.Western sanctions linked to the nuclear program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-sanctions-persian-carpet-sales-kashan-717d118d8fb0e2787fa5c3d2b3c1850c">have devastated Iran's economy</a>. And the enforcement of Islamic rule, which grew more severe under Raisi, has further alienated women and young people.The Islamic Republic has faced several waves of popular protests in recent years, most recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-morality-police-explainer-b53475eda867a4158ac5032fe1b3e62e">after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini</a>, who had been arrested for allegedly not covering her hair in public. More than 500 people were killed and over 22,000 were detained in a violent crackdown.Raisi's death may make the transition to a new supreme leader trickier, and it could spark more unrest.

Kansas U.S. Senator: No sympathy for death of Iran's president

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing have made an arrest.

Just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 700 block of NE Poplar in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Kerry Connell.&nbsp; First responders locate a man suffering from a non-life-threatening injury. American Medical Response transported to a local area hospital.

As a result of the investigation, Paula A. Lewellyn, 50, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated battery; Knowingly use weapon cause great body harm/disfigure/death and Interference with Law enforcement officer; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution. Lewellyn and the victim were known to each other, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716232218894.png" alt="Lewellyn-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lewellyn-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing have made an arrest.Just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 700 block of NE Poplar in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Kerry Connell.&nbsp; First responders locate a man suffering from a non-life-threatening injury. American Medical Response transported to a local area hospital.As a result of the investigation, Paula A. Lewellyn, 50, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated battery; Knowingly use weapon cause great body harm/disfigure/death and Interference with Law enforcement officer; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution. Lewellyn and the victim were known to each other, according to Connell.

Kansas woman accused of knife attack that sent man to hospital

JOHNSON COUNTY —The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes did damage in Johnson County Sunday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716260078620.png" alt="Storm damage in Shawnee -photo NWS Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage in Shawnee -photo NWS Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes did damage in Johnson County Sunday night.According to a survey by the National Weather Service, the first tornado rated EF1 with maximum winds of 110mph. It was on the ground in the city of Shawnee from 10:31 to 10:36p.m., traveled 1.75 miles and had a maximum width of 105 yards.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716260164030.png" alt="Storm damage in. Prairie Village-photo NWS Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage in. Prairie Village-photo NWS Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>The second tornado in Prairie Village and Mission Hills also rate EF1 with estimated peak winds of 95mph. It was on the ground from 10:39p.m. -10:45p.m, traveled 2.72 miles and had a maximum width of 150 yards.&nbsp;There were no injuries or fatalities reported.